CHICAGO - Jon Lester insisted there's no reason the Chicago Cubs can't contend next year and even capture their first World Series title since 1908, around the time the Model T was rolling off the assembly line.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — If the Dallas Cowboys can avoid another late-season letdown, they can reach a significant goal: the NFC East title.
The first step is getting past the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.
They are a game behind Philadelphia in the NFC East after getting blown out 33-10 by the Eagles on Thanksgiving and have another showdown with them next week that could be for the division lead.
But before Dallas (8-4) can worry about that, there's this matchup with the struggling Bears (5-7) at Soldier Field.

CHICAGO - Bradley Beal came on strong late in regulation to finish with 26 points, Nene scored six of his 17 in overtime, and the Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls 101-99 Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.